Indiana University Northwest willfeature American Indian art representing both traditional and contemporarywork in Gallery Northwestand in the IUN Gallery for Contemporary art from Nov. 13 to Dec. 15. Disturbing Drums – AwkwardIntersections will explore American Indian art from two distinct perspectives.While traditional Native art reflects great cultural and traditional meaning,Native contemporary art is controversial in nature, as it has been saidthat it often ignores the traditional past and culture of American Indians.

“The difference between traditional and contemporary Native artworkis like night and day,” says Ann Fritz, director of both IU Northwest galleries.“Native Americans are finding it hard to understand what Native contemporaryartists are trying to say and how this new dimension of art relates tothem. Thus, contemporary Native artists are receiving the same reactionas abstract artists received in the early 1900s.”

Both forms of artwork will be exhibited for one month at the universitywith Gallery Northwest displaying traditional Native art, and the IUN Galleryfor Contemporary Art featuring the newer, more progressive artwork of NativeAmericans. The contemporary artwork is on loan from the JanCicero Gallery in Chicago.

An opening reception is scheduled Nov. 15 from noon to 2 p.m. and includesa lecture by Jennifer McNutt from the EiteljorgMuseum in Indianapolis. She will speak on the issue of traditionaland contemporary Native artwork in the IUN Gallery for Contemporary Artin the Savannah Centerlocated on the Northeast side of campus. Gallery Northwest is located inTamarack Hall on the Northwest side of campus. Co-curators of the exhibit, Michael Certa, RayFontaine and Linda Anderson from IU Northwest will also be on hand.

Hours for both galleries are Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.;Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The galleries are openon evenings and weekends by appointment. For more information on DisturbingDrums – Awkward Intersections, contact Fritz at 219-980-6891 or atafritz@iun.edu